Gloria L. Mason

Gloria Cecilia Hasell was born in Charleston, South Carolina on November 15, 1944. She was the second child of the Dorothy Cook & Oliver A. Hasell union. She grew up with her family in Brooklyn and Queens, New York. After completing her education, she joined the Equitable Life Insurance Company, in New York, in 1964 as a management trainee; the first African-American female in that position. She was promoted to Manager of the Group Payments Division handling over 1,000 accounts worldwide. She retired from Equitable in 1993 after having served 28 years. 

She married Frank J. Mason of New Orleans, Louisiana and together they celebrated 52 years of marriage. During their union they built an extremely successful business in the food industry with over five hundred employees. Gloria and Frank created a true partnership comprised of business vision and monetary acumen. Their success allowed for many opportunities to travel and view the world. Gloria loved sharing her world travel stories; they were fortunate to experience life on all 7 continents, including Antarctica. She was truly a frequent flyer!! She loved Game shows and the casino with its array of amazing slot machines, which fascinated her. She had been a “Snowbird” for over 25 years residing in their homes on the East Coast, West Coast, and Nevada.

Gloria was a wonderful and supportive Mother, Sister, Sister-in-law, Aunt, Grand Aunt and Great Grand Aunt, Cousin and loyal friend. She was predeceased in death by her son Robert Todd Mason, her Mother Dorothy Cook Hasell, and her Father Oliver A. Hasell. She leaves to mourn her passing her husband Frank J. Mason, sisters Doris L. Wise, Olivia A. Bereal, Brother-in-laws Ronald G. Wise Sr., and Joseph Patin Sr.; 6 nephews, 1 niece, and their respective spouses, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She will be missed by all who know and love her.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Dillard University, New Orleans, LA in care of the Robert Todd Mason Scholarship Fund.